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UAE take on Algeria Hisham Al Gizouli

DUBAI - The UAE national football team completed their preparations for the Algerian test with a final work-out at the match venue in the German city of Nuremberg.

With the exception of Al Wahda’s right winger Fahad Masoud, all players took part in the training session. Slovenian coach Srecko Katanec and his assistants outlined the strategy to face the North Africans.

The formation may probably see few changes to the one adopted in the match against Moldova.

Al Jazira’s keeper Ali Khusaif said their friendly against Algeria on Saturday represents a great challenge for the players who are looking forward to this game since the beginning of the training camp.

“It’s going to be a very tough clash against a side which is preparing for the World Cup finals in South Africa. They are among the best 32 in the world and a leading team at the African and Middle Eastern levels,” he said.

“It’s a very good opportunity for us as players to play against such top teams apart from the final result. We have prepared well and the team is in a very good shape after our morale-boosting victory over Moldova,” he said.

Khusaif mentioned that they have spent great times with each other during the training camp and the outcome will be very positive.

“I would like to thank the officials at the administrative and technical levels. The team’s manager Ismail Rashid has been dealing with us with utmost respect.

“He’s very friendly and knows what to be done. The management of the delegation is of top quality and they have made every move to provide us with the utmost comfort and satisfaction,” he added.

Regarding the absence of Al Wasl’s injured keeper Majid Nasser, Khusaif said: “I hope he would be back soon. I have benefited a lot from Nasser’s experience, but I don’t want to learn from him how to become so nervous,” he said with a smile. Assistant coach Mohammed Al Mansi said the training camp in Austria have achieved its goals and the game against Algeria will be very crucial for the UAE football.

“We were too much worried about the timing, but fortunately everything went according to plan,” he said.

“Our clash against Algeria is truly tough. The Algerians are looking forward to achieve a morale-boosting victory before they head for Johannesburg to line up in the world premier football competition. Now, the UAE players are in their best form both physically and mentally,” he added.

“There’s something more. We want to see the team reach the highest level of harmony and homogeneity. We have noticed that the players are very close to each other both on and off the pitch and this is something great. We are optimistic that they will be able to deliver,” he said.

Speaking about the absence of injured key players like Abdul Rahim Jumaa and Ali Al Weihibi, he said they are two of the best players in the national team and their return will represent a very big boost for the squad.

200 tickets for UAE fans

The organising company of the game provided 200 tickets plus 20 VIP for the UAE fans who would like to watch the game against Algeria on Saturday. The match will be held at the Playmobil Stadium in Nuremberg. The prices range from Euro 8-15. Many Algerians are expected to come and watch their national team before they travel to South Africa.


hisham@khaleejtimes.com